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CONGRATULATIONS TO THOSE THAT MADE IT THROUGH THE 30 DAY PALEO CHALLENGE!!

It’s common knowledge in the Paleo world that sugar, particularly fructose, should be limited and that it can cause a multitude of health problems categorised under the "metabolic syndrome" umbrella i.e. a collection of conditions which occur increasing your risk of type 2 diabetes.

Remember, that fructose, in small amounts, has been in our diet for a very long time and that our bodies can usually handle small amounts very well. The amount where fructose becomes toxic varies for everybody depending on a multitude of factors, but a good rule of thumb for most healthy people is at around 50 grams of fructose per day. Keeping in mind that most fruits are half glucose and half fructose, consuming over 100 grams of sugar from fruits every day can become problematic (PALEO DIET LIFESTYLE).

**Here are TEN REASONS TO LIMIT FRUCTOSE CONSUMPTION**

(1) Fructose can only be metabolized by the liver and can’t be used for energy by your body’s cells, i.e. USELESS! It is also a toxin in high enough amount because the liver transforms it to fat and sends that fat to our fat cells.

(2) Excess fructose damages the liver and leads to insulin resistance in the liver. In fact, fructose has the same effects on the liver as alcohol!

(3) Fructose reacts with proteins and polyunsaturated fats in our bodies seven times more than glucose. This reaction can ultimately lead or contribute to inflammation and a host of other chronic diseases.

(4) Fructose increases uric acid production, in excess = gout, kidney stones and precipitate/aggravate hypertension. NICE.

(5) While most of your body’s cells find fructose useless as a source of energy, the bacteria in your gut does not and excess fructose promotes bacterial overgrowth and gut imbalance.

(6) Chronic excess fructose causes dyslipidemia, this means that your blood lipid markers tend to shift towards numbers that indicate a high risk for heart disease.

(7) Fructose rapidly causes leptin resistance. Leptin is an hormone that controls appetite and metabolism to maintain a normal weight.

(8) Excess fructose alone can cause all the problems associated with the metabolic syndrome; diabetes, obesity, heart disease etc.

(9) Cancer cells thrive with fructose as an energy source.

(10) Excess fructose also affects brain functioning, especially as it relates to appetite regulation. E.g. It has also been shown to impair memory in rats...

All that being said, fructose, in small amounts, has been in our diet for a very long time and that our bodies can usually handle SMALL amounts well. The amount where fructose becomes toxic varies for everybody depending on a multitude of factors, but a good rule of thumb for most healthy people is at around 50 grams of fructose per day (PALEO DIET LIFESTYLE).

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